King County, WA

County

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2020 Population

2.23M

1.35% 1-year growth

US Senator

Patty Murray

Democratic Party

US Senator

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

0% 1-year change

2020 Poverty Rate

8.42%

5.76% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$99,158

4.41% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$601,100

9.45% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

1.23M

1.55% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, King County, WA had a population of 2.23M people with a median age of 37 and a median household income of $99,158. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of King County, WA grew from 2.2M to 2.23M, a 1.35% increase and its median household income grew from $94,974 to $99,158, a 4.41% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in King County, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (58.2%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (18.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.36%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.71%), and White (Hispanic) (3.94%).

None of the households in King County, WA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

87.4% of the residents in King County, WA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in King County, WA are University of Washington-Seattle Campus (14,935 degrees awarded in 2020), Green River College (2,925 degrees), and Seattle University (2,534 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in King County, WA was $601,100, and the homeownership rate was 56.5%.

Most people in King County, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 29.8 minutes. The average car ownership in King County, WA was 2 cars per household.

King County, WA borders Chelan County, WA, Kitsap County, WA, Kittitas County, WA, Pierce County, WA, Snohomish County, WA, and Yakima County, WA.

About the photo: The view on Rattle Snake Ridge.

Photo by Chad McDonald

Population & Diversity

King County, WA is home to a population of 2.23M people, from which 87.4% are citizens. As of 2020, 23.7% of King County, WA residents were born outside of the country (528k people).

In 2020, there were 3.19 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.3M people) in King County, WA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 406k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 142k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

87.4%

2020 Citizenship

87.8%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 87.4% of King County, WA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in King County, WA was 87.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in King County, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in King County, WA

White (Non-Hispanic)
1.3M ± 1.74k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
406k ± 2.73k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
142k ± 2.24k

9.83%

Hispanic Population

219k people

9.83% of the people in King County, WA are hispanic (219k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in King County, WA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Washington.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
245,459 ± 11,963 people
India
87,443 ± 7,218 people
China
77,854 ± 6,815 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Washington was Mexico, the natal country of 245,459 Washington residents, followed by India with 87,443 and China with 77,854.

Foreign-Born Population

23.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

528k people

23.1%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

508k people

As of 2020, 23.7% of King County, WA residents (528k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in King County, WA was 23.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in King County, WA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
30,866 ± 1,065
Gulf War (2001-)
19,611 ± 1,229
Gulf War (1990s)
13,102 ± 1,074

King County, WA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.57 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of King County, WA employs 1.23M people. The largest industries in King County, WA are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (206,196 people), Retail Trade (146,488 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (145,299 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($112,384), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($103,903), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($100,054).

Males in Washington have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $61,193. The income inequality in Washington (measured using the Gini index) is 0.466, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

1.23M

2020 Value

± 9,008

1.55%

1 Year growth

± 0.974%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in King County, WA grew at a rate of 1.55%, from 1.21M employees to 1.23M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in King County, WA, are Management Occupations (170,597 people), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (128,256 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (109,148 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of King County, WA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Washington (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

1.23M

2020 Value

± 9,008

1.55%

1 Year growth

± 0.974%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in King County, WA grew at a rate of 1.55%, from 1.21M employees to 1.23M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in King County, WA, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (206,196 people), Retail Trade (146,488 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (145,299 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of King County, WA, though some of these residents may live in King County, WA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$68,536

Median earning men ± $1,204

$46,763

Median earning women ± $587

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Information ($127,957), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($107,281), and Public Administration ($89,753).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Information ($91,009), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($70,326), and Public Administration ($64,076).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Washington. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Washington.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

31,110
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
18,565
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
15,318
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$36.3M
Manufacturing
$26.8M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
$26.4M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Washington product (by dollars) was Transport equip. with $105B, followed by Misc. mfg. prods. ($46.1B) and Mixed freight ($35.2B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Washington products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Washington.

$500B

2020 Value in Washington

$980B

Projected 2050 Value in Washington

95.8% growth

In 2020, total outbound Washington trade was $500B. This is expected to increase 95.8% to $980B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Washington trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Washington to other states, or from other states to Washington.

Most Common Trade Partners

Oregon
$34.9B
California
$26.9B
Hawaii
$23.3B

In 2020, the top outbound Washington domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Oregon with $34.9B, followed by California with $26.9B and Hawaii and $23.3B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Washington shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in King County, WA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 75% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (22.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.5%).

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing the state of Washington. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (75%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (22.2%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.5%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in King County, WA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 75% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (22.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.5%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in King County, WA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senators Elections

US Senators from Washington

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Patty Murray

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 1993

Maria Cantwell

Senator from Washington

Assumed office on January 3, 2001

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are the senators currently representing Washington.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Washington over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives Elections

US Representatives from Washington

Washington is currently represented by 10 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Washington have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in King County, WA awarded 38,173 degrees. The student population of King County, WA in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 58,350 male students and 73,367 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in King County, WA are White (16,544 and 50.1%), followed by Asian (6,177 and 18.7%), Hispanic or Latino (3,413 and 10.3%), and Two or More Races (2,634 and 7.98%).

The largest universities in King County, WA by number of degrees awarded are University of Washington-Seattle Campus (14,935 and 39.1%), Green River College (2,925 and 7.66%), and Seattle University (2,534 and 6.64%).

The most popular majors in King County, WA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (4,995 and 13.1%), General Business Administration & Management (1,293 and 3.39%), and Registered Nursing (1,081 and 2.83%).

The median tuition costs in King County, WA are $29,892 for private four year colleges, and $3,727 and $4,241 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in King County, WA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 64%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 25.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 131,717 (44.3% men and 55.7% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2020 there were 131,717 students enrolled in King County, WA, 44.3% men and 55.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 52,159 records, of which 56.3% were women and 43.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Computer Science
673 degree-majors awarded
Speech Communication & Rhetoric
527 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
502 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in King County, WA was Computer Science with 673 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in King County, WA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Washington-Seattle Campus
14,935 degrees awarded
Green River College
2,925 degrees awarded
Seattle University
2,534 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Washington-Seattle Campus with 14,935 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2020, 16,564 men were awarded degrees from institutions in King County, WA, which is 0.767 times less than the 21,609 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 16,544 degrees mean that there were 2.68 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 6,177 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($30,240) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Public, 4-year or above ($506) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Measure

In 2020, 0.797% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.827% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were Some college (1.42M), High School or Equivalent (1.36M), and Bachelors Degree (1.26M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in King County, WA was $601,100 in 2020, which is 2.62 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $549,200 to $601,100, a 9.45% increase. The homeownership rate in King County, WA is 56.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in King County, WA have an average commute time of 29.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in King County, WA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in King County, WA is $99,158. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in King County, WA was Census Tract 241 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 246.02 and Census Tract 246.01, with respective values of $250,001 and $245,278.

In 2021, 17.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in King County, WA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 0.939%.

Housing

Property

$601,100

Median Property Value 2020

±$4,451

$508,346

Median Property Taxes

±$4,590

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In King County, WA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in King County, WA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

56.5%

Homeownership

2020

64.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 56.5% of the housing units in King County, WA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 56.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in King County, WA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 241
Census Tract 246.02
Census Tract 246.01

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in King County, WA was Census Tract 241 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 246.02 and Census Tract 246.01, with respective values of $250,001 and $245,278.

The following map shows all of the tracts in King County, WA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$99,158

Median Household Income

± $944

900k

Number of Households

± 7,399

In 2020, the median household income of the 900k households in King County, WA grew to $99,158 from the previous year's value of $94,974.

The following chart displays the households in King County, WA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for King County, WA is from Washington.

0.466

2020 Wage GINI in Washington

0.468

2019 Wage GINI in Washington

In 2020, the income inequality in Washington was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.301% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Washington was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Washington in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Washington across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (58.3%)
Public Transit (12.5%)
Worked At Home (11.9%)

In 2020, 58.3% of workers in King County, WA drove alone to work, followed by those who used public transit to get to work (12.5%) and those who worked at home (11.9%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

29.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in King County, WA have a longer commute time (29.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.31% of the workforce in King County, WA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in King County, WA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in King County, WA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in King County, WA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2021, 17.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in King County, WA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 0.939%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

8.42% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in King County, WA (185k out of 2.19M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in King County, WA is White, followed by Asian and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2021, 7.9% of the children was living in poverty in King County, WA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 7.4%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2021, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 341 in King County, WA. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 11.6 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

94.7% of the population of King County, WA has health coverage, with 60.5% on employee plans, 12.6% on Medicaid, 9.52% on Medicare, 11.4% on non-group plans, and 0.709% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Washington was $7,913 in 2014. This is a 4% increase from the previous year ($7,609).

Primary care physicians in King County, WA see 830 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.121% increase from the previous year (829 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 912 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 216 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.5% were men and 50.5% were women.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Washington. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Washington, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Patient to Clinician Ratios

830 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in King County, WA

Primary care physicians in King County, WA see an average of 830 patients per year. This represents a 0.121% increase from the previous year (829 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in King County, WA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Washington.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Washington across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.4% under 18 years, 25.2% between 18 and 34 years, 40.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 13% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.5% were men and 50.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.3%

Uninsured

60.5%

Employer Coverage

12.6%

Medicaid

9.52%

Medicare

11.4%

Non-Group

0.709%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in King County, WA grew by 0.457% from 5.28% to 5.3%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in King County, WA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2021, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 34.3 in King County, WA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in King County, WA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2021, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 22.5% in King County, WA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in King County, WA.

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